Yarn-advancing reel



Filed Feb. l, 1946 i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 s j... Nw g v f M a u g/ u u QS INVENTOR.

A TTORNEX Feb. 3, 1948. A. L EwlNG YARN-ADVANCING REEL Filed Feb. 1, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

\ L v/N L. Ew/NG TTORNEX i Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE YARN-ADVANCING REEL Alvin L. Ewing, Richmond, Va., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application February 1, 1946, Serial No. 644,939

(c1. aix-71.6)

s Claims. 1

Y and improved yarn-advancing reel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a yarn-advancing reel which effectively and continuously advances a yarn along the length thereof.

Other and additional objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The objects of the invention are accomplished, in general, by winding yarn in the form of a helix onto a rotary reel having a plurality ofyarn-supporting bars, each of which bars is moved axially in the direction of the yarn travel over the reel, whereby the yarn carried thereby is progressively and continuously advanced. over the reel and, when each bar reaches the limit of its axial movement in the direction of the yarn travel, it is retracted (moved radially inwardly) from the yarn and moved axially in a direction opposite to the yarn travel, and, when each bar reaches thezlimit of its axial movement in this direction, it is expanded (moved radially outwardly) to bring it into yarn-supporting position.

The axial (longitudinal) and radial (inward and outward) movements are imparted to the yarn-supporting bars by double-faced cams cooperating With cam followers operatively secured to each of the yarn-supporting bars. Means are provided to restrain the yarn-supporting bars against outward radial and axial movement in the direction of travel of the yarn over the reel and to maintain the cam followers in constant contactual relationship with the cams. Means are also provided to aid in reversing the axial movement of the bars.

The details and manner of practicing the invention will become clear from. the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the yarnadvancing reel embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal partial section of a reel having a modified yarn-supporting bar; and

Figure 4 is a section taken on the lines 4-4 of Figure 3.

More particularly, it relates to a v Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral l designates the main supporting axle of the reel which is rotataby mounted adjacent each end thereof in a sleeve I2 carried on pillow blocks I4 which in turn are carried on supports (not shown) of the machine. A gear I6 is secured to the axle l0 in any appropriate manner and is driven by a drive gear (not shown) whereby rotary movement is imparted to the axle I0.

The axle I0 extends through and is secured to a hub of an end plate 22. The axle also extends through and is secured to a hub 24 of an end plate 26. The end plates 22 and 26 are in spaced relationship with respect to each other and, being secured to the axle I0, rotate therewith about the central axis of the axle.

The end plate 22 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 30 and also with slots -32 equidistantly spaced and arranged circumferentially adjacent the periphery thereof. The end plate 26 is also provided with an inwardly extending flange 36 and equidistantly spaced slots 38 arranged circumferentially adjacent the periphery thereof. The slots 32 and 38 are correspondingly positioned and each pair thereof is in alignment.

A yarn-supporting bar is positioned in each pair of aligned slots so that the opposite ends thereof extend in the slots 32 and 38 respectively. The slots 32 and 38 are of a size and shape which permit the yarn-supporting bar positioned therein to move radially and axially therein.

Each of the yarn-supporting .bars 40 is provided on the bottom thereof with a pair of spaced cam'followers 42 and 44 which cooperate with cams 46 and 48 respectively. The cams 46 and 48 are identical. Each cam is appropriately secured to a sleeve 58 rotatably mounted on the shaft I0 and intermediate the end plates 22 and 26. f

In the embodiment shown, the cams 46 and 48 are rotated so that the peripheral speeds thereof are different from the peripheral speed of the yarn-contacting bars. The rotation of the cams 4.6 and 48 is obtained by the means described hereinafter.

The sleeve 50 is secured, as by a key 52, to a gear 53 which meshes with a gear 54 secured to one end of a jack shaft 56 which extends through a sleeve l58 in the end plate 26. A gear 60 is secured to the opposite end of the jack shaft 56 and such gear 60 is in cooperative relationship with a gear 62 rotatably mounted on the main axle l0. Gear 62 is driven by means (not shown) at an angular speed diil'erent than gear I6.

Means are provided to maintain each bar 40 so that the cam followers 42 and 44 thereof are in constant cooperative relationship with the cams 46 and 48. In the form shown, this is obtained by a pair of tension-mounted blocks 66 and 68 positioned adjacent the opposite ends of each yarn-supporting bar 40. Block 66 is provided on the rear thereof with a pin 'l0 which is movably disposed in a hole 12 in the flange 30 of the end plate 22. A tension spring 14 positioned around the pin and disposed between thebottom of the hole and rear of the block 66 constantly urges the block 66 inwardly, whereby the block 66 continuously urges the yarn-supporting bar 40 inwardly and the follower 42 is maintained ln contact with the cam 46. The block 68 isalso provided on the rear surface thereof with a pin 18 which is movably disposed in a hole 80 in the flange 36 of the end plate 26. A tension spring 82 positioned about the pin 10 and disposed inbetween the bottom of the hole 80 and the rear face of the block 68 constantly urges the block 68 inwardly, whereby the yarn-supporting bar 40 is also constantly urged inwardly, with the result that the cam follower 44 is maintained in contact with the cam 48. The tension-mounted blocks 66 and 68 also normally tend to restrain the bars 40 from moving radially outwardly and axially in the direction of the yarn travel over the reel. As is apparent, the shapes of the cams overcome such restraining tendencies during operation.

In the form shown in Figure 2. each of the cams 46 and 48 is of a shape so that each supporting bar will be successively retracted (moved radially inwardly) from the yarn sheet at each of four different positions along the periphery of the reel. As previously explained, when a yarn bar is retracted from yam-supporting position it is moved axially in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the yarn over the reel. Tension means are provided to make this reversal of the axial movement of the bars as rapidly as possible. Means are also provided, when the tension means consists of a spring, to prevent bending. of the spring during the radial movements. In the form shown, this means comprises a tension-mounted block 86 which is positioned adjacent one end of each yam-supporting bar 40. Each of the blocks 86 is provided with a pin 88 on the rear face thereof and is movably mounted in a hole 90 in the end plate 26. A tension spring 92 disposed about the pin 88 and positioned in the hole 90 cooperates with the rear face of the block 86, with the result that it continuously exerts a pressure f in a longitudinal direction on each yarn-supporting bar, tending to urge each of said bars in a direction opposite to the direction of the yarn advancement over the reel, and, whenthe yarn bar is moved radially inwardly, it thrusts the bar axially in the opposite direction of the yarn travel as previously described. The blocks 86 also4 permit radial movement of the bars without bending the spring in that direction. y

In the embodiment previously described, the yarn-supporting bar is formed integrally with the cam followers. It is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to such a construction. The cam followers can be operatively connected to the yam-supporting bars in any way, directly or indirectly, and either rigidly or detachably.

4 Referring now to Figures 3 and 4. a yarn-sullporting -bar |00 is provided with oppositely disposed longitudinal depressions l|02 in which the upper ends of the jaws of a clip I 04 are seated. The bottom ends of the clip |04 are disposed in an upper channel |08 of an H-shaped longitudinal support |0 and are detachably secured there in by pins H2. A pair 'of spaced cam followers ||4 is secured to the H-support in position to cooperate with cams 46' and 48' which arefldentical to cams 46 and 48 of the previous embodiment. Specifically, each cam follower Il 4 is provided with an extension ll6 which is positioned in the lower channel ||8 of the H-shaped support ||0 and is detachably secured therein by pins |20. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 3, the tension means for maintaining the cam followers in contact with the cams and the tension means for facilitating the axial movement of the bars in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the yarn over the bars are identical to those described l in the previous embodiment but cooperate with the H-shaped support H0.

In operation, the gears I6' and 62 are driven whereby the yarn-supporting bars revolve about the central axis of the axle |0 and the cams 40 and 48 also rotate about such axis. A yarn is drawn onto and wound on a helix onto the reel to a point where is is drawn olf the reel. The yarn contacts the bars that are expanded radially, and these bars, due to the cooperation of the cam followers and the cams, are also moved axially toward one end of the reel. In the form shown, at one end of four points on the cam each bar suddenly recedes radially inwardly away from the thread sheet and, at the samev time, due to the action of the spring 92, is thrust axially in the direction opposite to that of the yarn travel to a position where it completes an advancement cycle, at which point it again starts its movement outwardly and axially in the direction of the yarn travel over the reel. Only a very small number of the bars are out of contact with the yarn'at any one time. All of the remaining bars which support the yarn sheet are moving axially in unlson, which insures an even tension on every part of each wrap around the reel.

The peripheral speed of the yarn bars 40 and the peripheral speed of the cams are different,

but they are operated in timed relationship to ing cycle long and extend over one or more revo- Likewise, the yam-supporting bars can be selutions of the reel. However, if the reel is of a type which is desired to stretch the yarns or relax their tension at desired points by means oi tapered bars, it is desirable to have more than one bar returning from the yarn sheet so as to reduce the advancing cycle to very short intervals, or. in other words, increase the frequency to several advancing cycles per revolution of the reel in order to minimize sudden tension variations at a tapered part of the reel. Thus. in general, the invention is not restricted as to the number of bars returned at one time and the times therefor.

The reel hereinbefore described operates in a horizontal position, supported by bearings at each end. However, the invention is not restricted thereto. Alternatively, the reel can either operato ate the movement of the bars are operated at a' slightly diierent speed from that of the main axle. A change of speed of the cam rotation affects the spacing of each wrap of yarn around the reel as well as its speed of advancement along the reel.

The invention is applicable to yarns composed of continuous iilament tows. staple ber tows, ropes. ribbons and other similar articles of continuous lengths.

Since it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made in the above-described details without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for continuously advancing yarn in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced yarnsupporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel and constituting the periphery thereof, each of said yarn-supporting bars being mounted for radial and axial movement, a rotating cam, a cam follower carried by each yarn-supporting bar cooperating with said cam, said cam being of a shape to impart radial movement to the yarnsupporting bars at predetermined times whereby each of said yarn-supporting bars can be moved into and out of yarn-contacting position and axial movement to the yarn-supporting bars in the direction of the yarn advancement over the reel when said bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when said bars are out of yarn-contacting position, means continuously urging the cam follower in contact with said cam, and tension means continuously urging the yarn-supporting bars in a direction opposite to the yarn advancement over the reel.

2. In an apparatus for continuously advancing yarn in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel and constituting the periphery thereof, a support for each yarn-supporting bar, each support being mounted for radial and axial movement, means to removably secure each yam-supporting bar to its respective support, a cam, a cam follower removably secured to each support cooperating with said cam, said cam being of a shape to impart radial movement to said supportsl at predetermined times, whereby the yarn-contacting bars are moved in and out of yarn-contacting position, and axial movement to said supports in the direction of the yarn feed advancement over the reel when the yarn-supporting bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when the yarn-supporting bars are out of yarn-contacting position, means cooperating with each of said supports to urge the cam follower in contact with said cam, and means continuously urging the supports in a direction opposite to the yarn advancement over the reel.

3. In an apparatus for continuously advancing yarn in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced yarnsupporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel and constituting the periphery thereof, a support for each yarn-supporting bar, each support being mounted for radial and axial movement, means to removably secure each yarn-supporting bar to its respective support, a cam, a cam fol lower removably secured to each support cooperating with said cam, said cam being of a shape to impart radial movement to said supports at predetermined times, whereby the yarn-contacting bars are moved in and out of yarn-contacting position, and axial movement to said supports in the direction of the yarn-feed advancement over the reel when the yarn-supporting bars are im yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when the yarn-supporting bars are out of yarn-contacting position, tension means cooperating with each of said supports to urge the cam follower in contact with said cam, and tension means continuously urging the supports in a direction opposite to the yarn advancement over the reel.

4. In an apparatus for continuously advancing yarn in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially f of the reel and constituting the periphery thereof,

each of said yarn-supporting bars being mounted for radial and axial movement, means to impart radial outward movement .to each of said bars at predetermined times to bring said bars in yarncontacting position, tension means to impart radial inward movement to each of said bars at predetermined times to retract said bars into out of yarn-contacting position, means to impart axial movement in the direction of the yarn advancement over the reel to each of the yarn-supporting bars in yarn-contacting position, and means to impart rapid axial movement in the dlrection opposite to the yarn advancement over the reel to each of said yarn-contacting bars when out of yarn-contacting position.

5. In an apparatus for continuously advancing yarn in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel and constituting the periphery thereof, each of said yarn-supporting bars being mounted for radial and axial movement, means .to

impart radial outward movement to each of said bars at predetermined times to bring said bars in yarn-contacting position, tension means to impart radial inward movement to each of said bars at predetermined times to retract said bars into out of yarn-contacting position, means to impart axial movement in the direction of the yarn advancement over the reel to each of the yarnsupporting bars in yarn-contacting position, and tension means to impart axial movement in the direction opposite to the yarn advancement over the reel to each of said yarncontacting bars when out of yarn-contacting position. i

6. In an apparatus for continuously advancing yarn in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of equidistantly spaced yarnsupporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel and constituting the periphery thereof, each of said yarn-supporting bars being mounted for radial and axial movement, a rotating cam, a cam follower carried by each yarn-supporting bar cooperating with said cam, said cam being of a shape to impart radial movement to the Ayarn-supporting bars at predetermined times whereby each of said yarn-supporting bars can be moved into and out of yarn-contacting position and axial movement to the yarn-supporting bars in the direction of the yarn advancement over the reel when said bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when 7 8 said bars are out of yarn-contacting position, tension means continuously ursing the cam fol- UNITED STATES PATENTS lower 1n contact with said can), and tension means Number Name Date continuously urging the yarn-supporting bars in 2,396,297 Stanley Man 12, 1946 a dirtionluopposite to the yarn advancements 2,317,747 Ewing pn 27. 1943 over t e ree ALVIN L, ma FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date- REFERENCES CITED '106,195 Germany May 2o, 1941 Th following references are of record Ain the l me of this patent: 

